Andrew's bird photography

Texas Lower Rio Grande : December 2021

by

South Texas remains one of the richest and most exciting birding areas in the United States. On this tour, we were able to track down the majority of the Rio Grande Valley specialties and enjoyed good photographic opportunities of nearly all of them. In addition, we found three vagrant species in the form of Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Golden-crowned Warbler, and Crimson-collared Grosbeak, all three are sought after rarities in the ABA area. We also saw a fine diversity of mammals and traveled through a variety of fascinating habitats. The top birds of the tour as voted by participants were the Whooping Crane, an endangered species of which we saw 50, yes 50!, during one brilliant morning. Second place went to the pair of Aplomado Falcons we studied at length on Mustang Island and third place was awarded to the rare Fork-tailed Flycatcher, which we finally found after a lengthy search. The weather was unseasonably warm but otherwise fine and we were able to sample delicious food ranging from seafood to traditional BBQ.

We left the Corpus Christi Airport on time and drove north along the coast towards Rockport. A short stop along the way allowed us to become familiar with a few of the common coastal species. After settling in at our comfortable accommodations, we enjoyed a delicious welcome dinner at a local seafood restaurant.

We started with an early breakfast and then transferred to the harbor where we boarded the Skimmer. It was an incredible morning with clear skies, an abundance of coastal birds in the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, and an incredible 50, yes 50!, Whooping Cranes. From Rockport, we traveled south towards Kingsville with a detour to Mustang Island where we had a close encounter with a pair of Aplomado Falcons. We also made a brief stop at the South Texas Botanical Gardens along the way and then enjoyed traditional Texas BBQ for dinner.

After meeting Tom at the King Ranch Visitor Center, we spent the entire day exploring the Santa Gertrudis and Laureles Units of the world-famous King Ranch. The birding was simply spectacular with a variety of coastal plains species and good numbers of South Texas specialties. The Audubon’s Oriole that dropped in right in front of us and the secretive Sprague’s Pipit that sat in the open for minutes on end were certainly memorable. We then drove south to McAllen, celebrating our fine day with another delicious dinner.

We changed plans a bit for the morning and headed to the San Benito Wetlands. After much patience and searching, we were rewarded with a good sighting of the rare Fork-tailed Flycatcher among a

selection of other species. After lunch, we visited Estero Llano Grande State Park where we found Pauraque and an Eastern Screech-Owl, both on day roosts! Before dinner, we tracked down a huge Green Parakeet roost and were able to study the birds at close range among an impressive number of Great-tailed Grackles and Bronzed Cowbirds.

Common Pauraque, Estero Llano Grande SP, TX, December 6th 2021

The morning was spent visiting the very productive Quinta Mazatlan Reserve where we were able to study many South Texas specialties at the extensive feeder setups and after a bit of back and forth, caught up with the vagrant Crimson-collared Grosbeak. After lunch, we continued with the rare bird theme and tracked down a Golden-crowned Warbler at the Valley Nature Center. We ended the day with a pleasant walk at the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge and then made our way at dusk into Weslaco where we caught up with a dozen Red-crowned Parrots that circled overhead.

We spent the entire morning at Bentsen State Park where we found several Rio Grande Valley specialties we had not seen yet and saw a good selection of raptors from the Hawkwatch tower. After lunch, we journeyed east to South Padre Island where the coastal marshes and mudflats revealed a variety of waders, shorebirds, and waterfowl. This proved to be one of the most diverse days of the tour.

For the morning, we planned to return to Bentsen State Park, but not before finding Tropical Kingbirds and Monk Parakeets along the way. The Hawkwatch tower was active with several species of raptors keeping us on our toes. From here we traveled northwest towards Zapata with a late afternoon stop at Salineno.

A very early morning along the Rio Grande near Salineno held three species of kingfishers and several Mexican Ducks. The feeders were relatively quiet, but we still had some excellent photo opportunities of some of the more colorful Rio Grande Valley resident birds. After lunch in Zapata, we headed back out to Falcon State Park and despite hot conditions, we added a good selection of desert species with Black-throated Sparrows and Pyrrhuloxia especially appreciated.

We left Zapata after breakfast and drove to the Corpus Christi Airport where we said good-bye, finishing another fantastic and productive tour of the South Texas hotspots.

USA – Texas: Winter: Lower Rio Grande II 2021 December 3rd – 11th, 2021 Bird List 179 (1 heard only)

  1. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) – numerous at inland wetlands
  2. Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) – a single blue morph seen in a small wetland on theSanta Gertrudes Unit of the King Ranch
  3. Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) – widespread and fairly common
  4. Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) – widespread and fairly common
  5. Gadwall (Mareca strepera) – uncommon with a few seen in wetlands and on the Rio Grande
  6. American Wigeon (Mareca americana) – a handful seen at the South Texas Botanical Gardens
  7. Mexican Duck (Anas diazi) – at least two seen at the Salineno overlook of the Rio Grande
  8. Mottled Duck (Anas fulvigula) – common in coastal wetlands
  9. Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) – widespread and seen in small numbers in various wetlands
  10. Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) – common and widespread
  11. Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) – a single seen on the King Ranch
  12. Redhead (Aythya americana) – seen on the King Ranch and a large flock on South Padre Island
  13. Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) – small numbers noted at the South Texas Botanical Gardens, Santa Ana NWR, and South Padre Island
  14. Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) – many seen during our boat excursion into the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
  15. Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) – several seen during our boat excursion into the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
  16. Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) – two seen briefly during our boat excursion into the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
  17. Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) – flocks noted at Aransas NWR and South Padre Island
  18. Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) – numerous at the South Texas Botanical Gardens
  19. Plain Chachalaca (Ortalis vetula) – fairly common and approachable throughout the stateparks and reserves in the south
  20. Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) – seen well on the King Ranch and again at Salineno
  21. Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) – these massive birds were seen on the King Ranch and at Bentsen State Park
  22. Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus) – common and vocal on small wetlands in the south
  23. Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) – widespread and numerous
  24. Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) – one seen briefly during boat tour into Aransas NWR
  25. Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) – common in towns and villages
  26. Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) – common in the drier areas to the west
  27. Inca Dove (Columbina inca) – seen well at Quinta Mazatlan and Falcon State Park
  28. White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi) – we had the best views of this secretive dove at the King Ranch and Estero Llano Grande
  29. White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) – common and widespread
  30. Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) – fairly common and widespread
  31. Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) – we had an excellent view of one on the entrance wall of Bentsen State Park
  32. Common Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis) – great scope studies of a bird on a day roost at Estero Llano Grande
  33. Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) – we saw several, quite late for this species
  34. Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) – an uncommon visitor to South Texas, but we had great views of one at the King Ranch Visitor Center
  35. Buff-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia yucatanensis) – we all had excellent views of this large and distinctive hummingbird at Quinta Mazatlan
  36. Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) – heard only at Bentsen State Park
  37. Sora (Porzana carolina) – we heard several and had good views of one at Bentsen StatePark
  38. Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) – a few seen between the King Ranch, South Padre Island and Bentsen State Park
  39. American Coot (Fulica americana) – fairly numerous and widespread
  40. Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) – great views of several on the King Ranch
  41. Whooping Crane (Grus americana) – Voted Bird of the Trip! We saw an incredible 50 birds of this endangered species, including family groups, twins and more all during our boat tour at Aransas NWR
  42. Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) – a few noted at the South Texas Botanical Gardens and the King Ranch
  43. American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) – seen on the King Ranch only
  44. American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) – several seen with many close views onoyster beds during our boat tour into the Aransas NWR
  45. Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) – seen in small numbers in coastal wetlands
  46. Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) – a handful seen at South Padre Island
  47. Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) – two dozen of this threatened plover at South Padre Island
  48. Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) – common and widespread
  49. Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus) – seen in the Aransas NWR and on MustangIsland
  50. Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa) – a single seen at South Padre Island
  51. Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) – seen in the Aransas NWR and again on South Padre Island
  52. Sanderling (Calidris alba) – seen along the coastline
  53. Dunlin (Calidris alpina) – fairly common along the coast
  54. Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) – widespread
  55. Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri) – seen well on South Padre Island
  56. Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) – we had the best views of this coastal pieces on South Padre Island
  57. Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) – excellent views on the King Ranch
  58. Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata) – seen on the King Ranch and at Estero Llano Grande
  59. Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) – widespread with many sightings
  60. Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) – seen at Aransas NWR, King Ranch, and South Padre Island
  61. Willet (Tringa semipalmata) – the western subspecies was seen in coastal wetlands
  62. Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) – seen on the King Ranch and South Padre Island
  63. Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) – common in coastal areas
  64. Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) – a handful noted along the coast
  65. Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) – a single seen in Aransas NWR
  66. Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) – one seen on a barge in Aransas NWR and another or the same bird noted hovering over the marsh, this species has increased along the Texas coast
  67. Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) – good numbers at Aransas NWR and South Padre Island
  68. Forster’s Tern (Sterna forsteri) – the common tern along the coast
  69. Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus) – seen at Aransas NWR and South Padre Island
  70. Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) – great views of actively skimming birds at South Padre Island
  71. Common Loon (Gavia immer) – around a dozen seen during our boat tour into the Aransas NWR
  72. Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) – widespread and fairly common in wetlands, unusually highnumbers for that time of year likely due to the warm weather
  73. Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) – common and widespread
  74. Neotropic Cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum) – common and widespread
  75. American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) – numerous along the coast and also regularly seen inland
  76. Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) – conspicuous along the coast
  77. American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) – this secretive species was seen well in themarshes at Aransas NWR
  78. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) – widespread and common
  79. Great Egret (Ardea alba) – one of the most widespread egrets
  80. Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) – fairly common
  81. Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) – seen briefly at Aransas NWR
  82. Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) – Aransas NWR, King Ranch, and South Padre Island
  83. Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) – Aransas NWR where we watched one actively hunt in the shallow bay and close views again at South Padre Island
  84. Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) – scattered sightings at the King Ranch and in McAllen
  85. Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) – seen well at the King Ranch, EsteroLlano Grande, and South Padre Island
  86. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) – up to three seen well in the wetland at Estero Llano Grande
  87. White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) – the common ibis of the tour
  88. White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) – a small flock seen at Santa Ana NWR
  89. Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) – seen at Aransas NWR, the King Ranch, and again atSouth Padre Island
  90. Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) – fairly common and widespread
  91. Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) – abundant
  92. Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) – common and vocal in coastal areas and along the Rio Grande
  93. White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) – we enjoyed phenomenal views of this elegant raptor at the King Ranch and additional views at the San Benito Wetlands
  94. Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) – widespread and seen frequently as we scanned for raptors
  95. Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) – seen from the Hawkwatch tower at Bentsen State Park
  96. Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) – many sightings throughout
  97. Harris’s Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) – this beautiful raptor was common throughout the Texas Brush Country and we saw them especially close from the Hawkwatch Tower at Bentsen State Park
  98. White-tailed Hawk (Geranoaetus albicaudatus) – from the first to the last view, this stunning raptor showed well several times
  99. Gray Hawk (Buteo plagiatus) – excellent perched views at Quinta Mazatlan and several seen from the Hawkwatch Tower at Bentsen State Park
  100. Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) – brief distant views at the King Ranch and Bentsen State Park
  101. Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus) – a great find for this time of year, we saw an adult soar past twice at Salineno
  102. Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) – abundant and seen daily with ssp. Harlan’s studied on the King Ranch
  103. Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) – a scarce visitor to south Texas, but we scoped onesitting in a field on the King Ranch
  104. Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) – seen on day roost at Quinta Mazatlan and Santa Ana NWR
  105. Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) – one seen briefly perched on a roadside wire at dawn outside of Zapata
  106. Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) – one seen near its hole on the King Ranch
  107. Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata) – this impressive kingfisher was seen well atBentsen State Park and Salineno
  108. Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) – the most widespread kingfisher with several sightings
  109. Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana) – seen well at San Benito, Santa Ana NWR, and Bentsen State Park
  110. Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons) – common and seen throughout, a colorful woodpecker
  111. Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris) – fairly common in drier habitats with plenty of good views
  112. Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus) – common and widespread and regularly seen along the roadsides
  113. American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) – very common with daily sightings
  114. Merlin (Falco columbarius) – this small but powerful falcon was seen well at the KingRanch and Santa Ana NWR
  115. Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis) – we enjoyed great studies of a pair
  116. Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) – great views of a perched bird on a water tower on South Padre Island and another seen at the San Benito Wetlands
  117. Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) – a small flock seen well near their nesting site inHidalgo
  118. Red-crowned Parrot (Amazona viridigenalis) – a dozen circled overhead at dusk in Weslaco
  119. Green Parakeet (Psittacara holochlorus) – a sizeable flock seen among hundreds of grackles and cowbirds at a traditional roost in McAllen
  120. Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) – a localized species in the Rio Grande Valley and seen well at the San Benito Wetlands and Salineno
  121. Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) – fairly common and widespread
  122. Say’s Phoebe (Sayornis saya) – this mostly western species was seen well at Falcon StatePark
  123. Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) – excellent views of this beautiful flycatcher in several locations
  124. Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) – an abundant and noisy resident of the Rio Grande Valley
  125. Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus) – we found a vocal pair perched on telephone wires near Hidalgo
  126. Couch’s Kingbird (Tyrannus couchii) – we studied a vocal bird at length at Estero Llano Grande State Park and saw others in various locations
  127. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) – we noted unusually high numbers for the time of year with nearly a dozen at the San Benito Wetlands and two more flying past the Hawkwatch tower at Bentsen State Park
  128. Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana) – after much searching and patience we found this rarity at the San Benito Wetlands right as we were about to leave, but then enjoyed good scope views
  129. White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) – good views on the King Ranch and many heard near South Padre Island
  130. Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) – good views near the entrance area to the Santa AnaNWR
  131. Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) – common and widespread
  132. Green Jay (Cyanocorax yncas) – this beautiful tropical bird was seen nearly every day of the tour and it is often fond of feeders
  133. Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) – excellent views at Quinta Mazatlan and other locations often at feeders
  134. Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) – we had vocal but somewhat reluctant birds at Salineno and Falcon State Park
  135. Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) – several seen well on the King Ranch
  136. Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) – quick flybys at the South Texas Botanical Gardens
  137. Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula) – seen well in feeding flocks
  138. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) – frequent in feeding flocks
  139. House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) – frequent by voice with a few seen
  140. Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris) – good views on South Padre Island
  141. Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) – seen well at Quinta Mazatlan
  142. Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) – seen well at Salineno and Falcon State Park
  143. Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) – excellent views of a calling individual near South Padre Island
  144. European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) – widespread in towns and cities
  145. Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre) – good scope views on the King Ranch andseen again at Quinta Mazatlan
  146. Long-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma longirostre) – seen frequently around feeder stations from Quinta Mazatlan to Salineno
  147. Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) – common and widespread
  148. Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) – only a single seen it was with the mobbing flock at Falcon State Park
  149. Clay-colored Thrush (Turdus grayi) – this species has increased in numbers and expanded its range in Texas in recent years and was seen well at Quinta Mazatlan and Salineno
  150. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) – frequent in towns and cities and at the Salineno feeders
  151. American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) – several seen on the King Ranch
  152. Sprague’s Pipit (Anthus spragueii) – great studies of a bird on the King Ranch that sat in afallow field for minutes on end very close to the vehicles
  153. House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) – seen around Bentsen State Park
  154. Cassin’s Sparrow (Peucaea cassinii) – one of two very secretive individuals perched up long enough for everyone to get a view at Falcon State Park
  155. Olive Sparrow (Arremonops rufivirgatus) – seen well at Estero Llano Grande with further sightings in other locations
  156. Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) – a single seen at Falcon State Park
  157. Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) – excellent views of this striking sparrow atFalcon State Park
  158. Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) – two seen at the San Benito Wetlands
  159. Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) – seen by some at San Benito and again by some near Zapata
  160. Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) – we had the best views of this skulky sparrow at Salineno
  161. Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) – seen well on South Padre Island
  162. Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) – all meadowlarks identified to species were Easternand were seen on the King Ranch and further west
  163. Altamira Oriole (Icterus gularis) – the beautiful oriole was studied at length in Bentsen State Park
  164. Audubon’s Oriole (Icterus graduacauda) – fantastic close views of this rare oriole on the King Ranch
  165. Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) – common and widespread
  166. Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus) – seen at the San Benito Wetlands and again largenumbers at the Green Parakeet roost in McAllen
  167. Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) – seen well at the feeder in the South Texas Botanical Gardens
  168. Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) – abundant and seen by the hundreds
  169. Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata) – the most widespread warbler of the otur
  170. Nashville Warbler (Leiothlypis ruficapilla) – a small flock seen at Santa Ana NWR
  171. Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) – heard and seen in wetlands
  172. Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) – we noted both ssp. Audubon’s in McAllen and Myrtle at Falcon State Park, much lower numbers than usual
  173. Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus) – with a bit of luck the bird hopped into the open right in front of us at the Valley Nature Center, a very rare visitor to the ABA area
  174. Wilson’s Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) – a few seen in various locations
  175. Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) – several seen well at Quinta Mazatlan
  176. Crimson-collared Grosbeak (Rhodothraupis celaeno) – we all had views of this rarity at Quinta Mazatlan where the bird proved to be secretive
  177. Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) – fairly common and widespread
  178. Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus) – a male seen very well in the scope at Falcon State Park